Frustrated Rider Slams WMATA Bus Update: “This System Just Doesn’t Work”

A longtime Metro rider voiced strong frustration over recent bus system changes, calling them disruptive, unreliable, and dangerous—especially for vulnerable community members.

The rider, who has used Metro services for over a decade, detailed a string of back-to-back experiences that highlight the growing dissatisfaction among daily commuters following the new update.

Thursday’s Ride Gone Wrong

The trouble began on Thursday, when the rider boarded the D72 northbound expecting a routine trip to Van Ness. Instead, the driver abruptly announced the bus would only travel as far as Porter, advising everyone to take the next bus. Complying, the rider hopped onto the next vehicle—only for it to drive one block up Mt. Pleasant before kicking everyone off again.

With no further buses in sight, the rider missed their scheduled event and had to call an Uber to reach their destination, resulting in wasted time and money.

Friday Night Fail

The following day brought more disappointment. At 5 p.m. on Friday—peak time for workers heading to D.C.’s vibrant downtown scene—the rider found themselves within walking distance of three bus routes. But not a single one was scheduled to arrive in under 15 minutes.

“Who do you think is working all those restaurants, bars, and clubs?” the rider asked, pointing to the essential workers left stranded with no timely transit options.

Dangerous Delays for All

Beyond inconvenience, the rider raised concerns about safety, especially for older adults and children who are now left waiting in extreme conditions.

“You’ve left old folks and kids standing out on the sidewalk in a heat wave with a lightning storm incoming,” they said. “This is not an acceptable ‘update’.”

A Broken Promise?

This outcry adds to growing public criticism of the system overhaul, which was promoted as a way to modernize and streamline Metrobus operations. Instead, users like this one are finding the experience confusing, unreliable, and poorly thought out—especially for densely populated and high-demand corridors.

Many are now asking for WMATA to address these concerns publicly, provide clarity on route changes, and improve real-time bus tracking to prevent these types of frustrations.

“I’ve been a dedicated Metro customer for over a decade,” the rider concluded, “and this is not an acceptable ‘update’.”